By Denise A. Chaffin
Recently, some of the sisters were studying the effects of our tongue; our use and abuse of it. We listed those we hurt with our tongues. The most often sited were close friends and family.
We most often find ourselves apologizing to those we least want to hurt. The good intentions of our hearts notwithstanding, we find ourselves repeating our transgressions against our loved ones.
“For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it; neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him; But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.” (Psalm 55:12-14)
What causes us to say and do things to our nearest and dearest that we wouldn’t inflict on our worst enemies? Why do we do this? I’d like to suggest just a few possibilities.
First is our thoughtlessness. We simply don’t think. We say what is on our minds without looking ahead. This could be avoided if we just would stop for a moment and ask ourselves if what we are about to say is needed.
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;” James 1:19Secondly, we think that they need to hear what we are saying. We may decide on a course of action before getting all the facts.
“He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him.” (Proverbs 18:17)
This verse underlines the fact that there are two sides to every story. We must be slow to speak, thus ensuring we have all the facts before acting.
Lastly, it would do us all a world of good to heed the advice found in Proverbs 19:11:
“The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression” (Pr. 19:11).It would help us to know which offenses to acknowledge and which ones to act upon. We must be the kind of Christian who knows that there are many small, insignificant things which are said and done each day that must be overlooked. As one dear friend puts it, “Life is just too short to worry about the little things.”
Let us commit ourselves to the mercy of Him who endured such hurt and who knows our hearts and minds. Let us pray daily for the strength of character to hold our tongues and to give the encouraging word that will benefit the hearer.
...........Article 177............
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